Monday, May 30, 2011

Have been working on several paintings at a time as is my usual practice, but I've signed this so I guess it's deemed to be finished.

I'm loving the layering and the richness of colour that is happening lately. My muse has me in her grip.

Stairway to Paradise

This painting is destined for the 'Ekka', in the abstract section. Ekka is our 'pet' name for the Royal Brisbane Show which attracts artists from all over. Competition is fierce so we are all trying our best.

I have three other works to enter, but you've seen those, except perhaps the following:

City Lights

The Show isn't until August but entries are required early. Wish me luck.

I've been working on this for a while, but still not entirely happy with it. Too late now tho' as it's off to exhibition next week.

Although essentially abstract, I have included lots of religious symbolism in the painting. The cruciform composition, and the crown of thorns are the most obvious. Not so the marks of the scourge, the nails, and the symbolic ladder (used to remove Jesus' body from the cross). There is also a small piece of muslin to represent His loincloth, and the three arrows... the spears of the soldiers and/or the Trinity. If you look VERY closely you will see thirty small silver dots... the thirty pieces of silver, and some leaf patterning for the Garden of Gethsemane.

A King's Crown

It is what it is, and I feel somewhat overworked. Never mind, the next will be better.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

For some reason I keep joining sites that have weekly, or monthly, challenges. While I really have plenty to do without this, I do hate to waste time. Soooo these challenges keep the brain exercised in ways other than my usual work.

To-ing and fro-ing between these things adds to the mental creative mix that informs my studio work in subtle ways... and I DO love a challenge.

Inspiration Avenue is a blog that challenges you to a monthly theme. This month it is "Tropical". What is more tropical than a gorgeous beach? This is an acrylic painting of my favorite local beach "Dicky Beach". It is named after the wreck, the SS Dicky, an iron screw steamship washed ashore during a storm in 1893.

Back to a style that I've now moved away from I'll admit but, hey, it's all grist to the mill.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles. A painting of mine has been accepted as a finalist in the Lethbridge 10000!!!!! Am beside myself with glee.

The Lethbridge 10000 is run annually by the Lethbridge Gallery, and receives entries from all over Australia. In fact, one of my all time favourite Australian artists Kevin Oxley is also a finalist. This means that I can't possibly win the $10,000 but hey, I'm glad to be hung in the gallery.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The theme this week for the Scrapiteria collage is "Unplugged". Now, I'm not entirely sure what that means, however I've had a brainwave and hope that this meets the requirements.

It's Only A Piece Of Furniture - Unplugged

Of course the Scapiteria site only accepts 'cut and paste' collages.... no 'arty' stuff, so I have to contain mysel,f and sometimes it's difficult to find the right ingredients. Still, it's fun and I enjoy the challenge.

The brief was to create an artwork 6" x 6" inspired by a book you have recently read, preferably one stocked by Rosetta Books.

All works will be the same size and a set price of $85 each.

As I usually read art books, I thought I'd have a change. My next favourite thing to do is 'play' with interesting beads and I have LOTS to play with. Soooo I based my painting on a book "Big Bead Jewellery" by Deborah Scneebeli-Morrell. This book has ideas for lots of interesting pieces to construct from beads.

With this in mind I painted a portrait and added earrings that I'd made. These are wood and stone beads, and the earrings are removable and wearable.

Big Bead Jewellery

A little 'off the wall' for me, but quirky and fun. In fact, I enjoyed this project so much I might make more... but when?